Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-09-23
A GRAND CELEBRATION.
The Most important Event in Our
National History.
Monster Professions, Receptions, AMI "A
General Good TIM.

The last centennial of the events of rev
dictionary times began In Philadelphia
on the 10th INST, viz that OF the constltu-
tional centennial. Visitors were pres
ent from every state and territory,
and many guests from foreign lands
joined with us in concentrating
the one hundredth anniversary OF
the signing OF our Magma Charta.
Shortly after 10 o clock on the morning OF
the 18th, the grand procession started, and
the scene at the reviewing stand was
grand one, the gay toilets OF the ladie,
and children adding beauty TO the mag
nlhcent decorations
The constitutional centennial commits
sion was officially represented on the
grand stand hy Hon. John "A kasson,
president; Hon Amos k. Little, chairman
OF the executive committee; Hampton l..
Carson, secretary; +. Carroll Brewster
Jr., corresponding secretary, and assist
ant secretary Black. The central portion
OF the stand was reserved for the COVER
nors Of the states with their tails. On
this stand were also senators and repre-
sentatlyes in congress, the commissioners
OF the various states and territories, 80 of
whom were present the diplomatic corps,
the foreign consulS, and especially invited
guests OF the commission. Section b
contained distinguished visitors.
The monster civic and industrial parade,
illustrating the al vancement OF the indus
trlal arts and sciences during the past
century, 10 l. believed, fairly eclipsed any
thing of the kind ever known. There were
IN the line hOats, each bearing u repre-
sentatlon OF some particular branch Of
industry l2.O)O men, 1900 horses and $50
bands OF music.
At the head OF the column rode Col. a.
ouden SnUwdcn chief marshal, and his
stan OF 30 aids. Directly behind them was
the United States marine band, and fol
lowed 10y IA grand banner, representing
Columbia pointing TO the past with one
hand, and with the other to the present,
the former being represented by old I'M
PIGMENTS and the latter by those of today.
The display from This point was divided
into % divisions. The honor of heading
the first division was given TO the Sons of
America, who presented beautiful dis
ply.
Amid the gay holiday attire of the streets
there was nothing more conspicuous and
artistic than the three trlunphal arches
than spanned Broad and Chestnut.sts
The BrOad-st. arch was almost opposite
the main reviewing stand, which was oc-
/ cupled 10y the president and his party. 1t
was 90 feet high, springing from each
curb; OF plain semi circular form and seq
mented on the south side with Illuminated
shields OF the - states and on the north
with the names of the states the shield
and name OF each being back 10 back. The
Is original states occupied the middle pc
sition OF the group, and the other, were
placed alongside in the order in which
they came into the union. Surmounting
the III CI W "a a HlaIllIlOli NltNltt tOnSlSU
ing of an American eagle and a stand Of
national cOlors.
In the evening Gov Beaver held a public
reception at the academy OF hne arts ana
shook hands with fully 1900 people
among whom was President Cleveland
kx-President Hayes and ten. Sheridan
The meeting between Gov. Beaver and
President Cleveland was singulariy cor
dial.
The Catholic club rendered a reception
fal a I'm f,h a
by large concourse of prominent people,
chief among which were President Cleve-
land, Secretaries Bayard and Falrchild.
W hen the president and Cardinal Gibbons
grasped hands the crowds cheered Justify.
The next morning. the 10th, about 9
o'clock the president : escort reached the
hotel, and a few minutes later started for
the commercial exchange, where a recep-
ton was held. The line of march was lit
orally thronged with people who cheered
Justify as the presidential party passed,
and the arrival of the party IN the ex-
change was the signal for repeated cheer
ing
President Comfy of the commercial ex
change introduced the president who
said
am glad have an opportunity to meet
so large a representation of the business
men of Philadelphia. IL is we'll that we
should not entirely forget in the midst of
our centennial jubilee that the aim and
all to the advancement of the material
interests of the people, and the increase
of their trade and commerce. The thought
has sometimes occurred TO me- that in the
hurry and rush OF business there might
well lie infused little more patriotism
than We are wont to see, and little more
recognition of the fact that "A wholesome
POLITICAL sentiment is closely related not
only 10 the general good, but TO the gen
cral success of business. OF course our
eltlypnS auUapai N huSinCGs pnial ~
see the bearing of any policy which any
government may adopt, as II effects their
personal success and their accumulation
but | would ike TO see that broad and
patriotic sentiment among them which
can see beyond their peculiar personal
interests, and which can recognize the
advancement OF the entire country as an
object for which they may well strive
even sometimes to the diminution of
their constantly increasing profits.
Must We always look for the political
opinions of our business men precisely
where their immediate pecuniary advan-
tage is found | know how vain it is to
hope for tie eradication of a selfish motive
in all the affairs of life; but | am remind.
ed that we celebrate to-day the
triumph of patriotism over selfishness.
w Ill anyone say that the concessions of
the constitution were not well made, or
that we are not to-day in the full enjoy
ment of the blessings resulting from a due
regard for all the conflicting interests
represented 10y the different states which
united a hundred years ago
believe the complete benefits promised
to the people 10y our form of government
can only be secured by an exercise of the
same spirit of liberation for each others
rights and interests in which { had its
birth. This spirit will prevail when the
business men of the country cultivate po-
litical thought; when they cease to eschew
particip patton in political action, and when
such thought and action are guided by
better motives than pure y selfish and ex-
elusive benefit.
am of the opinion that there is no place
in the country where such a condition can
be so properly and successfully maintain
ed as here, among the enlightened and en-
terprising business men OF Philadelphia.
After his speech Mr.. Cleveland an
nounced himself a. being ready to meet
the gentlemen present, and one by one
they walked up the steps of the rostrum
and grasped his hand, aud then shook
hands with Secretaries Bayard and Fair
child, ex-President Hayes, Gov. Beaver
Mayor Filter, a. j. Drexel and Geo. w.
Childs, who received with him. After the
reception the presidential, party drove to
81. md Erna nj al